Hinging and Rotating Coupler Mechanism for Avian Spinning Wing Decoy

ABSTRACT

The Hinging and Rotating Coupler Mechanism for Avian Spinning Wing Decoy invention comprises of a pivoting coupler mechanism that is attached to an elongated flexible rod and stake system that provides multi-directional motion for avian spinning wing decoy. The pivoting coupler mechanism, elongated flexible rod and stake system elevate the avian spinning wing decoy above the ground. Motion of the avian spinning wing decoy above the ground can be activated by either the wind or a pull string that can be attached to the upper portion of the flexible rod. This invention further comprises of an on/off switch that is located in the tail of the avian spinning wing decoy that can activated on or off by coming into contact with a firm surface such as the ground or elevated surface.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

The avian spinning wing decoy has been on the market for close decadeand has been the extremely popular among bird hunters. It has proven tobe effective in attracting birds into decoy arrangements by simulatingthe wing like motion of a live bird thus giving the illusion of a birdin flight. In the present application the avian spinning wing decoy hasprimarily been attached to a stationary pole stake that elevates itabove the ground surface. This pole stake is rigid and holds the avianspinning wing decoy in a stationary position elevated above the ground.

The pivoting coupler mechanism of this present invention, be it aninternal or external coupler, attached to an elongated flexible rodprovides the natural movement in changing directions of a live bird inflight wherein the head of a bird always is the first part of the bodyto take the lead when changing directions. The pivoting couplermechanism, elongated flexible rod and stake application improves on thecurrent design by allowing the avian spinning wing decoy to be elevatedand put into multi-directional motion either with the aid of the wind oran attached pull string. This adds a flight like motion to the existingspinning of the wings of the avian spinning wing decoy.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING BY NUMBER

FIG. 1—Pivoting coupler mechanism. A side view of the pivoting couplermechanism and has been divided in half with the facing half having beenremoved to show the inward working parts.

#12 Pivoting Coupler Mechanism having both a #12A Forward Leading Endand #12B Rearward Trailing End. A #13 Opening passes through #12AForward Leading End of #12 Pivoting Coupler Mechanism. #15A FirstOpposing End of #15 Elongated Flexible Rod has a #16 Opening and #17Re-enforcement Band that encompasses the outer perimeter. #18 Fastenerpasses through #13 Opening in #12A Forward Leading End of #12 PivotingCoupler Mechanism and is received and fastened into #16 Opening in #15AFirst Opposing End of #15 Elongated Flexible Rod. #18 Fastener rotateswithin #13 Opening while linking #12 Pivoting Coupler Mechanism to #15Elongated Flexible Rod which allows rotation between #12 PivotingCoupler Mechanism and #15 Elongated Flexible Rod. #14 Opening thatpasses through the rearward portion of #12B Rearward Trailing End of #12Pivoting Coupler Mechanism that receives #14A Protruding Member of #10Avian spinning wing decoy shown in FIG. 3. #14B Opening in #12 PivotingCoupler Mechanism that opens into #14 Opening. #14C Mechanical Fastenerthat travels through #14B Opening in #12 Pivoting Coupler Mechanism thatsecures #14A Protruding Member of #10 Avian spinning wing decoy shown inFIG. 3 in place within #14 Opening.

FIG. 2—Side view of Stake and Coupler Mechanism divided in half withfacing half removed to show in ward working parts.

#21 Elongated Stake has a #21A First Opposing End and a #21A SecondOpposing End. When in use #21A Second Opposing End of #21 Elongate Stakeis secured within a #23 Firm Surface such as the ground and #21A SecondOpposing End of #21 Elongated Stake extends substantially upward. A #22Protruding Member, having #22A First Opposing End and #22B SecondOpposing End, links to #21B First Opposing End of #21 Elongated Stake.#19 First Elongated Coupler has a #19A First Opposing End and a #19BSecond Opposing End. #19B Second Opposing End of #19 First ElongatedCoupler has a #20B Opening that receives #22A First Opposing End of #22Protruding Member of #21 Elongated Stake. Diameter of #20B Opening isslightly larger than the diameter of #22A Second Opposing End of #22Protruding Member allowing it to be attached when in use and detachedwhen in storage. #19A First Opposing End of #19 First Elongated Memberhas a #20A Opening that receives #15B Second Opposing End of #15Elongated Flexible Rod linking #15B Second Opposing End of #15 ElongatedFlexible Rod to #19A First Opposing End of #19 First Elongated Coupler.

FIG. 3—Avian spinning wing decoy secured within pivoting couplermechanism

#10 Avian spinning wing decoy, having #10A Forward Leading End and #10BRearward Trailing End of #10 Avian spinning wing decoy, with a #14AProtruding Member that extends outward from the central lower portion of#10 Avian spinning wing decoy. #14A Protruding Member of #10 Avianspinning wing decoy has passed through #14 Opening that passes throughrearward portion of #12B Rearward Trailing End of #12 Pivoting CouplerMechanism and is secured in to #14 Opening by #14C Mechanical Fastenerthat travels through #14B Threaded Opening in #12 Pivoting CouplerMechanism and tightens against #14A Protruding Member of #10 Avianspinning wing decoy. #12A First Opposing End of #12 Pivoting CouplerMechanism having a #13 Opening that has allowed #18 Fastener to passthrough and be received by #16 Threaded Opening and secured into #15AFirst Opposing End of #15 Flexible Rod. #18 Fastener pivots within #13Opening of #12A Forward Leading End of #12 Pivoting Coupler Mechanism.#17 Re-enforcement Band re-enforces the #15A First Opposing End of #15Flexible Rod. #24 Electric Motor that spins the wings of #10 Avianspinning wing decoy is powered by #25 Battery. Power is delivered from#25 Battery to #24 Electric Motor through electric power lines. #27AElectric Power Line connects #25 Battery to a #26 On/Off Switch locatedin #10B Rearward Trailing End of #10 Avian spinning wing decoy and #27BElectric Power Line connects #24 Electric Motor to #26 On/Off Switch.#27C Ground Wire connects #24 Electric Motor to #25 Battery. When #26On/Off Switch is turned on power is provided to the #24 Electric Motorand when #26 On/Off Switch is turned off power is denied to #24 ElectricMotor.

FIG. 4—A full side view of the elongated flexible rod and couplers,elongated stake mechanism, avian spinning wing decoy, pull string andthe on/off switch activating concept for an electric spinning wingdecoy.

#21 Elongated Stake Mechanism is secured into a #23 Firm Surface such asthe ground and extends substantially upward and couples to #19 ElongatedCoupler Mechanism. #19 Elongated Coupler Mechanism fastens to #15Elongated Flexible Rod that also extends substantially upward andcouples to #12 Pivoting Coupler Mechanism. #10 Avian spinning wing decoycouples to #12 Pivoting Coupler Mechanism and is held above #23 FirmSurface such as the ground. #15 Flexible Rod has a #30 Fastener with anopening that #31 Pull Cord is attached to. When #31 Pull Cord is pulledin the direction indicated by #32A Direction of Travel Arrow the #10Avian spinning wing decoy rises. When #31 Pull Cord is relaxed #32BDirection of Travel Arrow indicates downward travel of #10 Avianspinning wing decoy. Normal range of #32B Direction of Travel Arrow doesnot cause contact of #26 On/Off Switch with #29 Firm Platform. If theoperator of the #30 Pull Cord wishes to activate or deactivate the #26On/Off Switch the #32B Direction of Travel Arrow may be exaggerated insuch a manner to cause a greater range of motion causing #26 On/OffSwitch to come into contact with #29 Firm Platform causing #26 On/OffSwitch to either activate or deactivate. #29 Platform links to #28Second Elongated Stake having #28A First Opposing End and #28B SecondOpposing End. #28A First Opposing End of #28 Second Elongated Stake isheld above ground when #28B Second Opposing End of #28 Second ElongatedStake is secured within a #23 firm surface such as the ground.

FIG. 5—Pivoting side to side motion of Avian spinning wing decoy

Arrows #34B and #34A show range of travel from side to side of #10 avianbird body decoy upon #12 pivoting coupler mechanism and #15 elongatedflexible rod. Pulling and releasing #31 pull cord activates side to sidemotion of #10 avian spinning wing decoy upon #12 pivoting coupler and#15 elongated flexible rod. #31 pull cord is shown tight as it is beingpulled and is also shown in a relaxed state allowing the #10 avianspinning wing decoy to travel from side to side indicated by arrows #34Aand #34B. The distance of side to side travel indicated by arrows #34Aand #34B is determined by how aggressively #31 pull cord is pulled. Thedotted line within #10 avian spinning wing decoy indicates where the #25battery is located. #25 Battery acts as a counter weight always ensuringthat #10A leading forward end of #10 avian spinning wing decoy alwaysleads in the direction of travel indicated by arrows #34A and #34B. Thismotion can also be activated by the wind.

FIG. 6—Side view of avian spinning wing decoy and all its internal andexternal working components divided in half with facing side removed toshow internal components.

#40 Mounted Bracket attaches to inward upper central portion of #10Avian Bird Body Decoy by #40A Fastener and #40B Fastener. #24 ElectricMotor attaches to #40 Mounted Bracket. #42 Opening in #40 MountedBracket. #41 Elongated Coupler having #41A First Opposing End of #41Elongated Coupler and #41B Second Opposing End of Elongated Coupler.#41A First Opposing End of #41 Elongated Coupler has a #43 Opening. #44Fastener has passed through #42 Opening in #40 Mounted Bracket andfastens into #43 Opening in #41A Forward Leading End of #41 ElongatedCoupler. #44 rotates and hinges within #42 Opening in #40 MountedBracket. #15C First Opposing End of #15 Elongated Flexible Rod isreceived into #45 Opening in #41B Second Opposing End of #41 ElongatedCoupler. #46 Opening in #41B Second Opposing End of #41 ElongatedCoupler allows #47 Mechanical Fastener to pass through and tightensagainst #15C First Opposing End of #15 Elongated Flexible Rod andsecures #15C First Opposing End of #15 Elongated Flexible Rod within #45Opening in #41B Second Opposing End of #41 Elongated Coupler and isassembled for use. When #47 Mechanical Fastener is loosened, #15C FirstOpposing End of #15 Elongated Flexible Rod can be removed from #45Opening in #41B Second Opposing End of #41 Elongated Coupler and isdis-assembled for storage. Broken lines showing #48 Elongated Opening inthe bottom forward center portion of #10 Avian spinning wing decoy. #48ASoftener in Forward Leading End of #48 Elongated opening and #48BSoftener in Rearward Trailing End of #48 Elongated Opening. #41Elongated Coupler passes through #48 Elongated Opening and allows #41BSecond Opposing End of #41 Elongated Coupler to extend out of #10 Avianspinning wing decoy. #49 Broken Lines and #50 Arrows indicate hingingrange of #41 Elongated Coupler as it hinges upon #44 Fastener within #42Opening of #40 Mounted Bracket. #44 Fastener within #42 Opening of #40Mounted Bracket also provides for rotation and hinging of #10 Avianspinning wing decoy. #25 Battery is centered underneath #42 Opening of#40 Mounted Bracket that receives #44 Fastener and is a counterweightkeeping #10 Avian spinning wing decoy in proper position during use. #24Electric Motor rotates spinning wings of #10 Avian spinning wing decoy.This application will also work without #24 Electric Motor with windrotated spinning wings.

BRIEF SUMMARY

The invention relates to a stake, elongated flexible rod with or withouta pull string, rotating coupler options, one being external couplerproviding side to side rotation and a second being an internal couplerthat provides multi-directional motion, that connects to avian spinningwing decoy and an on/off switch mechanism with an elevated platform thatlinks to a stake. In use, stake is secured to a firm surface such as theground. Elongated flexible rod couples to stake and elevates the avianspinning wing decoy and coupler mechanism above the ground. Avianspinning wing decoy and coupler system upon elongated flexible rod willmove naturally as the wind blows. When the wind is not providing enoughmotion the user may achieve desired motion by activating pull string tooperate it manually or mechanically. When using the external coupleroption avian bird body decoy can be attached in use and detached forstorage from the external coupler. In use, external coupler providesside to side rotation allowing the head of the avian spinning wing decoyto lead in the direction of travel from side to side simulating theflight tendencies of live birds in flight. When using the internalcoupler option that extends out of an opening in the bottom of avianspinning wing decoy coupled to elongated flexible rod, life likepivoting from side to side and life like movement in takeoff and landingof a live bird is achieved. In the electric driven avian spinning wingdecoy there is an on/off switch mounted in the rearward trailing end oftail of avian spinning wing decoy that extends outward. When the on/offswitch comes into contact with a firm surface power is can turn on/oroff the electric drive of the spinning wings. Together the stake and theelongated flexible rod hold the avian spinning wing decoy substantiallyabove the both the ground and or water depending on the usersapplication. When not in use the stake, elongated flexible rod, couplermechanisms and avian spinning wing decoy can be dis-assembled forstorage.

1. The embodiment of this invention about a pivoting coupler mechanism for an avian spinning wing decoy comprises of an elongated flexible rod having first and second opposing ends and a pivoting coupler mechanism having a forward leading end and rearward trailing end, said first opposing end of elongated flexible rod couples to said forward leading end of pivoting coupler mechanism and provides point of rotation, the said rearward trailing end of the said pivoting coupler mechanism has an opening that receives avian spinning wing decoy that has rotating wings be it wind or mechanically driven.
 2. Pivoting coupler mechanism for avian spinning wing decoy of claim #1, further comprising of an opening in said forward leading end of pivoting coupler mechanism.
 3. Pivoting coupler mechanism for avian spinning wing decoy of claim #1, further comprising of an opening in the said first opposing end of elongated flexible rod.
 4. Pivoting coupler mechanism for avian spinning wing decoy of claim #1, further comprising of a fastener that travels through opening in said forward leading end of pivoting coupler mechanism of claim #2 and is received and fastened in opening in said first opposing end of elongated flexible rod of claim #3 with said fastener providing point of rotation between said pivoting coupler mechanism and said elongated flexible rod.
 5. Pivoting coupler mechanism for avian spinning wing decoy of claim #1, further comprising of an opening in said rearward trailing end of pivoting coupler mechanism that receives a protruding member that extends out of lower portion of said avian spinning wing decoy.
 6. Pivoting coupler mechanism for avian spinning wing decoy of claim #1, wherein having an opening in said rearward trailing end of pivoting coupler mechanism that receives said avian spinning wing decoy has an opening that receives a fastener that travels through and tightens against said protruding member of said avian spinning wing decoy and holds it in place and can be loosed so said avian body spinning wing decoy can be removed from said pivoting coupler mechanism when not in use.
 7. The embodiment of this invention about an elongated stake and elongated coupler comprises of an, elongated stake having first and second opposing ends, said first opposing end of elongated stake links to a protruding member, said second opposing end of elongated stake can be secured within a firm surface such as the ground when in operation, the said elongated coupler having first and second opposing ends, said first opposing end links to said second opposing end of elongated flexible rod of claim #1, said second opposing end of elongated coupler having an opening that receives the said protruding member of the said first opposing end of elongated stake.
 8. Elongated stake and elongated coupler of claim #7, wherein said elongated coupler having first and second opposing ends, opening in said second opposing end of elongated coupler that receives said protruding member has a circumference larger than the circumference of the said protruding member of said first opposing end of elongated stake allowing for attachment in use and detachment after use, when in use said elongated stake, said elongated coupler, said elongated flexible rod, said pivoting coupler mechanism hold said avian spinning wing decoy above said firm surface.
 9. The embodiment of this invention comprises of a pull cord having first and second opposing ends, a fastener having first and second opposing ends, said first opposing end of fastener fastens below said first opposing end elongated flexible rod of claim #1, said second opposing end of fastener has an opening that receives said first opposing end of pull cord, said second opposing end of pull cord is manual or mechanical operating end and when manipulated causes said elongated flexible rod of claim #1 to move.
 10. Pull cord of claim #9, wherein said pull cord activates movement of said avian spinning wing decoy of claim #1 when manipulated, movement of said avian spinning wing decoy of claim #1 can be achieved by natural wind or by activating said pull cord, said pull cord may be attached or detached from said fastener of claim #9.
 11. The embodiment of this invention applies only to a motorized driven avian spinning wing decoys comprises of an opening in the rearward trailing end of said avian spinning wing decoy such as the tail that receives and secures in place an on/off switch that cycles power to motor, portion of said on/off switch that activates and deactivates extends rearward out of said avian spinning wing decoy and said on/off switch is activated or deactivated when it comes in contact with a surface such as the ground or elevated platform.
 121. Platform of claim #11, further comprising of a second elongated stake having first and second opposing ends, said first opposing end of second elongated stake is secured to said firm surface such as the ground, said second opposing end of second elongated stake links to said platform of claim #11 and said platform runs substantially horizontal with the ground providing an elevated firm surface for said on/off switch that is secured in the opening of rearward trailing end of said avian spinning wing decoy such as the tail activating and deactivating the motorized spinning wings of said avian spinning wing decoy as it ascends and descends by the pulling and releasing of said pull cord.
 13. A second hinging and rotating coupler option of the embodiment of this invention comprises of a second elongated coupler having first and second opposing ends, said first opposing end of second coupler couples to a bracket that is mounted to the inner upper central body portion of said avian spinning wing decoy, the said second opposing end of second elongated coupler extends out through an elongated opening in said avian spinning wing decoy and couples to said elongated flexible rod.
 14. Hinging and rotating coupler of claim #13, further comprising of a fastener that passes through an opening in said mounted bracket of claim #13 and fastens into said opening in said first opposing end of second elongated coupler of claim #13, said fastener passing through said opening of said mounted bracket provides hinging and rotation of said avian spinning wing decoy.
 15. Hinging and rotating coupler of claim #13, further comprising of on an elongated opening with first and second opposing ends in the bottom forward central body portion of said avian spinning wing decoy.
 16. Hinging and rotating coupler of claim #13, further comprising of said second opposing end of second elongated coupler having an opening.
 17. Hinging and rotating coupler of claim #13, further comprising of an elongated flexible rod having first and second opposing ends, said first opposing end of elongated second coupler has a first opening that aligns with said second elongated coupler and said second opposing end of said second elongated coupler has a second opening that aligns with said second elongated coupler, said first opposing end of elongated flexible rod has a slightly smaller circumference than said opening in said second opposing end of second elongated coupler of claim #13 allowing said first opposing end of elongated flexible rod to be received into said opening in said second opposing end of second elongated coupler.
 18. Hinging and rotating coupler of claim #13, further comprising of a third lateral opening that connects with said second opening in said second opposing end of second elongated coupler that receives a mechanical fastener and tightens against said first opposing end of elongated flexible rod of claim #17 when said first opposing end of elongated flexible rod is housed within said second opposing end of second elongated coupler during use, when said fastener is loosened said first opposing end of elongated flexible rod can be removed from said second opposing end of second elongated coupler when not in use.
 19. Hinging and rotating coupler of claim #13, further comprising of said second opposing end of elongated flexible rod attaches to said first opposing end of elongated coupler and thee stake mechanism of claim #7.
 20. Hinging and rotating coupler of claim #13, further comprising of said pull cord of claim #9.
 21. Hinging and rotating coupler of claim #13, further comprising of a first and second softener, said first softener is received at the said first opposing end of the elongated opening of claim #13, said second softener is received at the said second opposing end of elongated opening of claim #13, when said avian spinning wing decoy and entire assembly is in use said first softener and said second softener quiet the sound of said second elongated coupler while hinging and rotating as it comes into contact with said first softener and said second softener. 